Miami Gardens FL vs Waco TX — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Miami Gardens
11,627
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
Waco
9.8%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
Waco
29.9%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 9.8% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 15.3% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 29.9% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $51,468 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $28,819 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $63,758 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 24.0% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 28.6% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 48.9% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 442 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2339 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
Miami Gardens +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
Waco
16.2%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
Waco
15.1%
Waco +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 36.8% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.4% | Miami Gardens + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 16.2% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.1% | Waco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
Miami Gardens +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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